In 1993, conservators from ICCROM and the University of Canberra met with Pacific museum directors to plan a conservation programme for the Pacific island states. The PREMO 1994-1998 program is unique compared to ICCROM's experience in other world regions, because it is designed to adapt to the unique geographical, cultural and museological context of the region. In adapting to the context, training programmes have been produced that are unfamiliar to funding agencies and colleagues. This is also likely to occur in other world regions, in the future. It is necessary for conservators to make a strong case linking their training programmes to the local context.